Suspended cable support system

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a suspended cable support system is provided. The suspended cable support system includes a plurality of suspension rods; and at least one cable tray. Each cable tray includes a pair of stringer elements, wherein each stringer element is configured for connection to at least one suspension rod; and a channel section depending from the pair of stringer elements. The channel section defines a passageway for supporting runs of cable thereon. The channel section includes a plurality of riser portions connected to the pair of stringer elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/844,480, filed on Sep. 14, 2006, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to suspended support systems and, moreparticularly, to a cable support system capable of being suspended.

2. Description of Related Art

Cable suspension systems have been developed to provide the additionalutility space needed in various different conduit or cable intensiveenvironments where the original construction did not provide adequatemeans of accommodating the vast amount of conduit or cable. For example,probably the most common environment requiring vast amounts ofadditional protected space is for large computing systems. Suchinstallations were typically made in facilities which simply were notdesigned to accommodate the vast amount of cable runs required tooperate the typical large computer system. Other applications whereadditional utility space is required include mechanical systems, e.g.,heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

A common problem experienced in utilizing cable suspension systems ismaintaining organization of the various cables, conduits, pipes, etc.which are routed above the floor, proximate the ceiling and the like.One solution to this problem is to provide a cable tray system suspendedfrom the ceiling to contain and direct cables along their respectivepathways.

One drawback of such a suspension systems is the additional laborrequired to assemble the various components of the separate sectionsmaking up the suspension system. In geographic regions with particularlyhigh labor rates, the cost of erecting such a labor intensive systemcould prove to be cost prohibitive. An additional drawback of suchsystems is the high cost of storing and shipping the components of thesystem in that the components may not be readily stacked and/or nestedin order to reduce storage space and the like.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved cable suspensionand management systems which require a fewer number of components.

A need also exists for cable suspension and management systems which areeasier to install than existing systems and which provide increasedstorage capacity and accessibility.

An additional need exists for cable suspension and management systemswhich require reduced storage space and reduced shipping costs.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a suspended cablesupport system is provided. The suspended cable support system includesa plurality of suspension rods; and at least one cable tray. Each cabletray includes a pair of stringer elements, wherein each stringer elementis configured for connection to at least one suspension rod; and achannel section depending from the pair of stringer elements. Thechannel section defines a passageway for supporting runs of cablethereon. The channel section includes a plurality of riser portionsconnected to the pair of stringer elements.

The channel section may be formed of wire stock. Each stringer elementmay include a pair of spaced apart rails. The channel section may definea floor spaced a distance from a plane defined by the pair of stringerelements, wherein the floor is supported by the riser portions.

The channel section may include a plurality of longitudinal sections anda plurality of transverse sections defining a cage-like enclosure. Thelongitudinal sections may be disposed beneath the transverse sections.The channel section may further include at least one transverselyextending reinforcing rib disposed beneath the longitudinal sections.

The channel section may be arcuate or substantially T-shaped. Thesuspended cable support system may further include a divider configuredfor selective connection to the channel section for dividing thepassageway.

The suspended cable support system may further include at least onesuspension bracket configured for connection to the channel section; anda cable management system selectively connectable to the suspensionbracket so as to depend therefrom. The cable management system mayinclude a plurality of cable supports depending from a bendable spine.Each suspension bracket may be configured for connection on a topsurface of a stringer element.

The suspended cable support system may further include a strut supportedbeneath at least one of the stringer elements. Each strut may have asubstantially U-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile.

The suspended cable support system may further include a plurality ofcable trays, and at least one hinge interconnecting adjacent cable traysto enable adjacent cable trays to bend off-axis relative to one another.

The cable trays may be configured for stacking one on top of another ina nesting fashion.

The suspension rods may extend between the pair of rails of the stringerelements.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cable tray, foruse in a cable support system including a plurality of suspension rods,is provided. The cable tray includes a pair of stringer elements eachhaving a pair of spaced apart rails, wherein at least one suspension rodof the cable support system extends between the pair of rails; and achannel section depending from the pair of stringer elements, whereinthe channel section defines a passageway for supporting runs of cablethereon. The channel section includes a plurality of riser portionsconnected to the pair of stringer elements; a floor spaced a distancefrom a plane defined by the pair of stringer elements, wherein the flooris supported by the riser portions; and a plurality of longitudinalsection and a plurality of transverse sections defining a cage-likeenclosure.

The longitudinal sections may be disposed beneath the transversesections. The channel section may include at least one transverselyextending reinforcing rib disposed beneath the longitudinal sections.

The cable trays may be configured for stacking one on top of another ina nesting fashion. The cable trays are at least one of arcuate andT-shaped.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a cable supportsystem is provided. The cable support system includes a plurality ofsuspension rods; and at least one cable tray supported on at least oneof the plurality of suspension rods. Each cable tray includes a firststringer element defined by a pair of spaced apart rails; at least asecond stringer element defined by a pair of spaced apart rails, whereinthe first and second stringer elements are spaced apart from one anotherand each stringer element is configured for connection to at least onesuspension rod; and a channel section depending from the pair ofstringer elements, the channel section defining a passageway forsupporting runs of cable thereon, the channel section including aplurality of riser portions connected to the pair of stringer elements.The cable trays are configured for stacking one on top of another in anesting fashion.

The channel section may be formed of wire stock. The channel section maydefine a floor spaced a distance from a plane defined by the pair ofstringer elements. The floor may be supported by the riser portions. Thechannel section may include a plurality of longitudinal sections and aplurality of transverse sections defining a cage-like enclosure.

The cable support system may further include a divider configured forselective connection to the channel section for longitudinally dividingthe passageway.

The cable support system may still further include at least onesuspension bracket configured for connection to the channel section; anda cable management system selectively connectable to the suspensionbracket so as to depend therefrom. The cable management system mayinclude a plurality of cable supports depending from a bendable spine.

The cable support system may further include a strut supported beneathat least one of the stringer elements. Each strut may have asubstantially U-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile.

The cable support system may further include a plurality of cable trays,and at least one hinge interconnecting adjacent cable trays to enableadjacent cable trays to bend off-axis relative to one another.

The pair of rails of each stringer element may be spaced apart an amountsufficient for the suspension rods to extend therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed cable suspension andsupport system are described herein with reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cable support systemconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a linear cabletray of the support system of FIG. 1, shown in a stacking/nestingconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view a plurality of cable trays of FIG. 2illustrated in an end-to-end configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the indicated area of detail ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arcuate cable tray of the supportsystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a T-shape cable tray of the supportsystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cable tray divider of the supportsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suspension bracket of the supportsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cable management system of the supportsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a patch panel accessory for thesupport system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of an alternate patch panelaccessory for the support system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the patch panel accessory of FIG.10;

FIG. 11A is a rear perspective view of the patch panel accessory of FIG.10A;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a support strut of the support systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a coupling element of the supportsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a hinge of the support system of FIG.1;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pair of cable trays shown hingedlyjoined to one another;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a plurality of cable traysillustrating the stackability and nestability thereof, and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cable tray according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in specific detail to the drawings in which like referencenumerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the severalviews, and initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a support systemconstructed in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generallyas cable support system 100.

Generally, cable support system 100 includes a series of suspension rodsor the like 20 depending from a ceiling, soffit, rafter or othersuitable over-head structure (not shown). Cable support system 100further includes any number of linear cable trays 110, T-shaped cabletrays 120 and/or arcuate cable trays 130. It is contemplated andunderstood that the number of cable trays 110, 120 and 130 may vary frominstallation to installation depending on the need and configuration ofthe supporting structure.

As seen in FIG. 1, various cable trays 110, 120, 130 may be joined toone another by a coupling element 150 (see FIG. 13) including a plate152 which extends between adjacent trays and is selectively secured toeach of the adjacent trays by fastening means 154, such as, for example,nuts and bolts or the like.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-4, each linear cable tray 110 includes first andsecond elongated stringer elements 112 a and 112 b, respectively. Achannel section 114 is suspended from stringers 112 a, 112 b so as toform a portion of a passageway for supporting cable runs thereon. In theillustrated embodiment, channel section 114 is formed of an open endedwire stock basket having longitudinal sections 116 attached totransverse sections 118. Transverse sections 118 include riser portionsor legs 118 a which are attached to a top side or an underside ofstringers 112 a, 112 b. Legs 118 a are substantially orthogonal withrespect to transverse sections 118. The various elements of cable tray110 are joined by suitable known techniques, such as by welding.

As best seen in FIG. 4, each stringer 112 a, 112 b includes at least apair of spaced apart rails 113 a, 113 b. Rails 113 a, 113 b define aplane which is substantially parallel to a plane defined by longitudinalsections 116 and transverse sections 118. The plane defined by rails 113a, 113 b is also substantially orthogonal to legs 118 a. Each rail 113a, 113 b may be formed of wire stock of the like.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, linear cable trays 110 may have varyinglengths or multiple linear cable trays 110, as seen in FIG. 2, may bejoined to one another in end to end fashion to form an elongate linearcable tray 110, as seen in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIG. 5, cable tray 120 is constructed in substantially thesame manner as cable tray 110, however, cable tray 120 is non-linear orhas an arcuate configuration in a plane parallel to a plane defined bytransverse sections 118. As seen in FIG. 5, longitudinal sections 116have been radiused so as to form arcuate cable tray 120. As shown,arcuate cable tray 120 is configured and dimensioned such that arcuatecable tray 120 extends through approximately 90°. It is contemplatedthat arcuate cable tray 120 may be configured and dimensioned such thatarcuate cable tray 120 extends through any suitable angle fromapproximately 0° to approximately 180°.

As seen in FIG. 6, cable tray 130 is constructed in substantially thesame manner as cable tray 110, however, cable tray 130 has asubstantially T-shaped configuration wherein one side wall thereof hasbeen opened to define a passage through a side thereof.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 7 and 17, cable support system 100 may include adivider 160 selectively connectable to at least some of longitudinalsections 116 and/or transverse sections 118 of cable trays 110, 120and/or 130. Divider 160 includes a pair of latch members 162 eachconfigured and adapted to selectively engage, for example, longitudinalsections 116 of cable trays 110, 130 and a wall member 164 extendingfrom latch members 162. Wall member 164 may be substantially orthogonalto latch members 162. Each latch member 162 includes a hook feature 162a formed at a first end thereof and a snap-fit engaging feature 162 bformed at an opposite end thereof. In use, hook features 162 a are slidonto first longitudinal sections 116 of a cable tray 110 and engagingfeatures 162 b are snap-fit onto second longitudinal section 116 whichare spaced apart from first longitudinal sections 116.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 8 and 19, cable support system 100 may include asuspension bracket 170 selectively connectable to stringers 112 a, 112b. Suspension bracket 170 includes a plate 172 selectively connectableto stringers 112 a, 112 b by fastening means 174, such as, for example,nuts and bolts or the like. Suspension bracket 170 further includes atleast one riser of arm 176 extending from plate 172 and configured tosupport or suspend a cable management system 200 (see FIG. 9) therefrom.

As seen in FIG. 9, cable management system 200 includes a spine 206 anda plurality of cable supports 204 depending therefrom. Cable supports204 define a cable retaining portion 202 for receipt and retention ofcables (not shown) therein. Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No.6,361,000, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference for a detailed discussion of cable management system 200.

As seen in FIG. 1 and 19, cable support system 100 may include a guide178 configured and adapted to extend between cable management system 200and cable tray 110 to provide a supported transition therebetween.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, cable support system 100 may includeany number of patch panels 180 or the like selectively securable to anyof cable trays 110, 120 or 130. In particular, patch panels 180 may besecured to stringers 112 a, 112 b of cable trays 110, 120 or 130. Eachpatch panel 180 includes a plurality of receptacles 182 for selectivelyreceiving and engaging with electrical connectors 182 a (see FIGS. 10Aand 11A), telephone jacks, data transfer jacks and the like.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 12, 18 and 19, cable support system 100 may includea strut 190 disposed beneath risers 112 a, 112 b of cable tray 110.Strut 190 may be a U-shaped channel defining an elongate slot 192therealong. In operation, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 18, free or lower endsof suspension rods 20 may extend through the space between rails 113 a,113 b of stringer 112 a or 112 b and enter U-shaped channel 192 of strut190. Free ends of suspension rods 20 may extend through U-shaped channel192 and through apertures 194 a formed in a wall 194 thereof. Struts 190proved additional rigidity to stringers 112 a, 112 b and ultimately tocable trays 110, 120 and/or 130.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-16, cable support system 100 may include a hinge230 for interconnecting a pair of adjacent cable trays 110, 120 or 130to one another and to permit the adjacent cable trays to be positionedat an angle with respect to one another in a plane transverse to a planedefined by longitudinal sections 116 and transverse sections 118. Hinge230 includes a first leg 232 having a fixed configuration, and a secondleg 234, hingedly connected to first leg 232 and capable of having avarying configuration. First leg 232 has a fixed L-shaped configurationand is configured and adapted for selectively attachment to a stringer112 a, 112 b of a cable tray 110, 120 or 130. Second leg 234 includes afirst portion 234 a hingedly connected to first leg 232 at a first endthereof and a second portion 234 b hingedly connected to a second end offirst portion 234 a. Second portion 234 b is configured and adapted forselectively attachment to a stringer 112 a, 112 b of an adjacent cabletray 110, 120 or 130.

As seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, in use, hinge 230 enabled a first cable tray110 a to pivot downwardly, about a first pivot axis defined betweenfirst and second legs 232, 234 of hinge 230, relative to an adjacentsecond cable tray 110 b. Hinge 230 also enables a first cable tray 110 ato pivot upwardly, about a second pivot axis defined between first andsecond portions 234 a, 234 b of second leg 234, relative to an adjacentsecond cable tray 110 b. Hinge 230 enabled three-dimensionalconfigurations of cable trays 110, 120 and 130.

As seen in FIG. 21, multiple cable trays 110 may be stacked one on topanother in a nesting fashion to reduce the overall height and volume ofthe cable trays 110 when being stored and/or shipped.

As seen in FIG. 22, cable tray 110 may be provided with a reinforcingrib 111 extending transversely across longitudinal sections 116 on aside opposite transverse sections 118. It is contemplated thatreinforcing rib 111 may be provided in close proximity to an end ofcable tray 110.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beaffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes and modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A suspended cable support system, comprising: a plurality ofsuspension rods; and at least one cable tray, each cable tray including:a pair of stringer elements, wherein each stringer element is configuredfor connection to at least one suspension rod; and a channel sectiondepending from the pair of stringer elements, the channel sectiondefining a passageway for supporting runs of cable thereon, the channelsection including a plurality of riser portions connected to the pair ofstringer elements.
 2. The suspended cable support system according toclaim 1, wherein the channel section is formed of wire stock.
 3. Thesuspended cable support system according to claim 1, wherein eachstringer element includes a pair of spaced apart rails.
 4. The suspendedcable support system according to claim 3, wherein the channel sectiondefines a floor spaced a distance from a plane defined by the pair ofstringer elements, wherein the floor is supported by the riser portions.5. The suspended cable support system according to claim 4, wherein thechannel section includes a plurality of longitudinal sections and aplurality of transverse sections defining a cage-like enclosure.
 6. Thesuspended cable support system according to claim 5, wherein thelongitudinal sections are disposed beneath the transverse sections. 7.The suspended cable support system according to claim 6, wherein thechannel section further comprises at least one transversely extendingreinforcing rib disposed beneath the longitudinal sections.
 8. Thesuspended cable support system according to claim 1, wherein the channelsection is arcuate.
 9. The suspended cable support system according toclaim 1, wherein the channel section is substantially T-shaped.
 10. Thesuspended cable support system according to claim 1, further comprisinga divider configured for selective connection to the channel section fordividing the passageway.
 11. The suspended cable support systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one suspension bracketconfigured for connection to the channel section; and a cable managementsystem selectively connectable to the suspension bracket so as to dependtherefrom, wherein the cable management system includes a plurality ofcable supports depending from a bendable spine.
 12. The suspended cablesupport system according to claim 11, wherein each suspension bracket isconfigured for connection on a top surface of a stringer element. 13.The suspended cable support system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a strut supported beneath at least one of the stringerelements, each strut having a substantially U-shaped transversecross-sectional profile.
 14. The suspended cable support systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cable trays, andat least one hinge interconnecting adjacent cable trays to enableadjacent cable trays to bend off-axis relative to one another.
 15. Thesuspended cable support system according to claim 1, wherein the cabletrays are configured for stacking one on top of another in a nestingfashion.
 16. The suspended cable support system according to claim 3,wherein the suspension rods extend between the pair of rails of thestringer elements.
 17. A cable tray for use in a cable support systemincluding a plurality of suspension rods, the cable tray comprising: apair of stringer elements each having a pair of spaced apart rails,wherein at least one suspension rod of the cable support system extendsbetween the pair of rails; and a channel section depending from the pairof stringer elements, the channel section defining a passageway forsupporting runs of cable thereon, the channel section including: aplurality of riser portions connected to the pair of stringer elements;a floor spaced a distance from a plane defined by the pair of stringerelements, wherein the floor is supported by the riser portions; and aplurality of longitudinal sections and a plurality of transversesections defining a cage-like enclosure.
 18. The cable tray according toclaim 17, wherein the longitudinal sections are disposed beneath thetransverse sections.
 19. The cable tray according to claim 18, furthercomprising at least one transversely extending reinforcing rib disposedbeneath the longitudinal sections.
 20. The cable tray according to claim17, wherein the cable trays are configured for stacking one on top ofanother in a nesting fashion.
 21. The cable tray according to claim 17,wherein the cable trays are at least one of arcuate and T-shaped.
 22. Acable support system, comprising: a plurality of suspension rods; and atleast one cable tray supported on at least one of the plurality ofsuspension rods, each cable tray including: a first stringer elementdefined by a pair of spaced apart rails; at least a second stringerelement defined by a pair of spaced apart rails, wherein the first andsecond stringer elements are spaced apart from one another and eachstringer element is configured for connection to at least one suspensionrod; and a channel section depending from the pair of stringer elements,the channel section defining a passageway for supporting runs of cablethereon, the channel section including a plurality of riser portionsconnected to the pair of stringer elements, wherein the cable trays areconfigured for stacking one on top of another in a nesting fashion. 23.The cable support system according to claim 22, wherein the channelsection is formed of wire stock.
 24. The cable support system accordingto claim 22, wherein the channel section defines a floor spaced adistance from a plane defined by the pair of stringer elements, whereinthe floor is supported by the riser portions.
 25. The cable supportsystem according to claim 24, wherein the channel section includes aplurality of longitudinal sections and a plurality of transversesections defining a cage-like enclosure.
 26. The cable support systemaccording to claim 22, further comprising a divider configured forselective connection to the channel section for longitudinally dividingthe passageway.
 27. The cable support system according to claim 22,further comprising at least one suspension bracket configured forconnection to the channel section; and a cable management systemselectively connectable to the suspension bracket so as to dependtherefrom, wherein the cable management system includes a plurality ofcable supports depending from a bendable spine.
 28. The cable supportsystem according to claim 22, further comprising a strut supportedbeneath at least one of the stringer elements, each strut having asubstantially U-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile.
 29. The cablesupport system according to claim 22, further comprising a plurality ofcable trays, and at least one hinge interconnecting adjacent cable traysto enable adjacent cable trays to bend off-axis relative to one another.30. The cable support system according to claim 22, wherein the pair ofrails of each stringer element are spaced apart an amount sufficient forthe suspension rods to extend therebetween.